Natalie Kitroff

Over the weekend, a group of thieves staged a remarkable heist at one of the world's most famous museums.

Officials in Paris say the masked crooks used a basket lift and cutting tools to just break into a gallery.

Stealing some of the most precious and culturally significant jewels in Europe, in the middle of Paris, in broad daylight.

Yeah, you could not make it up.

As new details emerge about the brazen theft at the Louvre, the response in France has been a mix of shock, disbelief and fascination.

Today, my colleague Catherine Porter explains how the robbery happened and why so many feel as though they may have just lost a piece of their history for good.

It's Wednesday, October 22nd.

Katherine, hi.

How are you?

This is probably the only taping where I've literally been like, I need us to begin so I can ask my questions right now.

I mean, that's not true.

It's not the only one.

But this is a very special episode, and I need to talk to you about this story.

I have read everything about this heist.

And I'm not satisfied still.

I am ready for you.

Okay, good.

Just to start, tell me exactly how a group of jewel thieves broke into the Louvre and stole these very precious items.

Just start from the beginning.

Tell me exactly what happened as far as we know.